The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers has rolled into town with a circus of wonderment and winter garden of delights
The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers and their carnival of friends has opened their magical animal-free travelling circus and winter garden of delights at the Athletics Club in Fish Hoek.
Designed and produced by Richard Griffin and the uber-talented team that brought South Africa Madame Zingara and a string of iconic eateries and bars, this dynamic and inclusive concept showcases a unique theatrical, food and outdoor experience for people of all ages. These industry stalwarts and vintage carnival producers have brought quirky Bohemian circus life to the fore by incorporating the visual wonderment of the performing arts and a dynamic winter garden of delights, all in one place.
The Strongman Gilberto Salgueiro Filho balances on top of a tower of chairs in the Big Top tent, as Clown Jonathan De Lima Sbano looks on in The Story of the Moon
A stellar cast of performers leads audiences on a magical journey in The Story of the Moon, an enchanting new production that has been conceptualised by Richard Griffin and directed by Marc Colli in association with Christine Chapman and Heidi Schmitz, with costume design by Nicky Smuts. The Story of the Moon, a sweet tale about the Moon and her quest to be happy like the circus folk she sees below, is presented in a traditional Italian Big Top tent and since opening to the public on 23 June, has been delighting everyone from the smallest children to teens, parents, guardians and all who have experienced it. The show is MC'd by the vivacious Lilian Khumalo as Mama Circus, alongside singer Carmen Maarman and the hilarious Strongman and his Clown sidekick. The star cast of performers from South Africa and abroad transport the audience through a magical world of song, acrobatics, drumming, Argentinian boladeros, contortion, slapstick comedy and a mesmerising quick change act.
Rory Avenstrup as the Moon
While children can enjoy bungee trampolining, a fire truck and face painting, adults can pass the time at one of the bars and enjoy the most delicious homemade soup and cuisine offerings at the on-site food trucks (Halaal options are available). The classic double-decker Bohemian Bus is a big attraction – a unique full service restaurant and bar offering intimate dinners on the top deck, spreading out into the picket fenced garden below.
The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers will travel in true gypsy style between towns and cities in Cape Town and the rest of South Africa. The inaugural season at the Athletics Club on Nelson Road in Fish Hoek will run until the end of the winter school holidays on 23 July.
The only ‘animal' in this circus is Zelda the cloth zebra!
The Story of the Moon is presented Thursdays at 6pm, Fridays at 5pm and 7pm, Saturdays at 11pm, 2pm, 5pm and on Sundays at 2pm and 4pm. Tickets, costing R120pp online or at the entrance, will grant visitors access to the two-act Moon show and the circus garden, and include a complimentary glass of bubbly for the adults and a balloon and a sweetie for the little ones on arrival. Additional activities like the popular bungee trampoline costs R40 per child (age 3 to 12) for five minutes, and face painting costs R30pp. Between 16h00 and 18h00, beer will be served at R10 a glass. Please note grounds open two hours before the first daily performance of The story of the Moon.
Booking is online via www.thegrifizzibrothers.com and for info, group bookings and special package deals please call the Box Office on 071 400 2250. Follow The Grifizzi Brothers on Facebook via www.facebook.com/grifizzibrothers/ and on Instagram via @grifizzibrothers #FantasticGrifizziBrothers
Come One, Come All!
- Photographs by Brandon Amronski
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